Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-03
American Telephone Co.

It will be remembered that some time ago the
American Telephone Co. was attacked by state
ments detrimental to its credit and much interest
was at the time taken in its AFFAIRS as large
number Of the citizens of Washington had pur-
chased stock OF It, The most careful investigation
failed to show any other than the most laudable
purpose on the part OF its projectors In organizing
and putting in operation accompany whose field Of
America, and which promised good returns upon
the Investment The only question that remained
unse1sied at the time waswhy the papers covering
tne amended concession did not arrive
The conduct OF the company under the trying
CIRCUMSTANCES in which 1t was placed in requiring
all those who had purchased stock to return
IT and receive back their money was highly com
mendable, and justly entities them to credit. 1t
appears now that the papers which the company
to be full and unqualified. The legal opinions OF
Dr: s. Ierrero Athena, OF Caracas, and the Hon.
rest the n wnaneI Of washington c. sets at
co: has the right to carry a telephone business
IN venezuela and that the government OF venez-
uea has bound itself not to abridge the rights OF
the company for nine years.
me company was organized to do telephone
telegraph electriclight business, and in addition
TO It's telephone concession, II has the promise OF
other privileges covering its other branches OF
work that promise to become very valuable It
that are OF much greater value than the conces-
sion from the Venezuelan government and the
papers are expected by the time the company gets
the work OF construction organized so 1t can take
care OF them.
The Caracas Office Of the company reports 1,5OO
SUP at that and other points now waiting
pected that ut least 1900 telephones will be put
up In venezuela the first year.
manner in which 1t has acquitted itself com
mends 1t to all as deserving OF confidence. The
opinions appended OF the eminent attorneys JET
ferSon Chandler, of Washington, ana DR.. s. Ter
zero Athena OF Caracas show that the Venezuela
concession is full, and gives the American Tele-
phone Company the exclusive right OF doing
telephone business in that country
OPINIONS OF HON. JEFFERSON CHANDLER AND DIR. 8.
TEREERO ATHENA.
WASHINGTON, d. c., october i, 1887.
To the american Telephone Co.:
Gentlemen:-It1S my opinion, after careful ex.
animation Of the contract made between the gov
eminent OF Venezuela and AQu1linO Orta that said
contract Is valid, and that by its terms there is
the right privileges and franchise to set up main
tain. and operate telephone lines, exchanges and
connections throughout the territory Of the gov
eminent OF Venezuela, and that said contract 8
and Is aSSignable, and has been duly and legally
assigned to the American Telephone Co., OF Wash
ington, District OF Columbia, and that said COM
pany now owns said grant, and has perfect right
to operate and enjoy the same, and further that
the government OF venezuela has bound itself not
TO make similar grants or concessions any other
persons or companies in the future during the life
OF said contract or rights therein conferred nor in
any manner TO impair the same; that said grants
| and franchises now held and owned by said Amer
lean Telephone Co. are by the terms OF said grant
to continue and abide for the period OF nine (9)
eminent OF Venezuela reserving the right to ex-
tend the contract for term or three years longer
JEFFERSON CHANDLER, COunSellOr-at-LaW.
1t Is my opinion that, according to the con-
cesSion made by the government Of Venezuela to
AQu1nnO Orta on the 9th day OF April, 1887, for
the establishment Of telephones in the republic,
which concession was transferred to Mr.. Cande.
larto PadrOn on the I'd ultimo, and transferred by
the latter this day to the American Telephone
Company, the said company has perfect right to
establish business in all the cities of the Vene-
zuean Union; that in case OF the existence OF any
claim on the part Of the Inter-Continental Tele-
phone Company such claim for damages can In no
wise AFFECT the aforesaid American Telephone
Company, since that company is acting in virtue
OF q contract concluded with the national gov
eminent, and invested with all the constitutional
formalitfes; and finally, that from the letter Of
the said contract in the eighth article 1t is appar
ent that that company is the only one that has
right TO establish the telephone service in Vene-
| Zuela.
Caracas, August 9Th, 1887.
s. TERRRo ATHENA
AdrE COunSellOr-at-LaW.
There were three more deaths from cholera at
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